EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies. This journal, with ISSN 1979-7877, was firstly published on August 17, 2008, in the context to commemorate the National Independence Day in Indonesia. The EDUCARE journal, since issue of February 2009 to date, has been organized by the Lecturers of FKIP UMP (Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto) in Purwokerto City, Central Java; and published by Minda Masagi Press, a publisher owned by ASPENSI (the Association of Indonesian Scholars of History Education) in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The EDUCARE journal is published twice a year i.e. every August and February.

Foreword for EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies,Volume 7(2) February 2015

Dr. Haji Syamsuhadi IrsyadHonorable Patron of the EDUCARE Journal in Bandung, West Java; andRector of UMP (Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto) in Central Java, Indonesia.

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wbr. (Peace be upon you). Let us thanks to our Almighty, Allah SWT (Subhanahu Wa-Ta’ala or Almighty), Who has bestowed us all the best blessings and prosperity. Peace may be upon to our Great Prophet Muhammad SAW (Salallahu ‘Alaihi Wassalam or peace be upon him), his companions, his family, and his faithful and dutiful followers until the end of the world. Amien.

What are the criteria of an international journal? I think this is a problem that is still debatable, not only that the journal should use one of the languages at the United Nations (UN) and published abroad, but there are many other aspects that must be observed and discussed. One aspect that is also important, I think, in a scientific journal with international standards is that the articles published by the journal must come from various countries in the world. Thus, although the journal claimed as a standard of “international”, but if the articles are coming from the authors of Indonesia only, it is still relatively as journal of “national” standard. In addition, the members of Editorial Advisory Board of the journal must also come from various countries around the globe.

Therefore, since the beginning of its publication in August 2008, the EDUCARE journal has been trying in order the articles published by the journal come from various countries. And, thank God, the efforts to obtain the research results are quite good, as shown by the response of the authors from outside of Indonesia’s nation-state, which they interest and always send the articles to be published in the EDUCARE journal. Thus, although the EDUCARE journal has not been yet accredited by DITJENDIKTI KEMENRISTEKDIKTI RI (Directorate-General of Higher Education, Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia) in Jakarta, but many writers from outside of the Indonesia’s country saw it as “esteemed and reputable journal”.

As indicated in the issue of February 2015, the EDUCARE journal contains 10 articles that six of them come from outside of the Indonesian country, and only 4 articles are coming from the authors of Indonesia. From the Indonesian state, beside two articles from the Lecturers of UMP (Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto) in Central Java, i.e. “Description of the Students Learning Motivation in the Subject of Mathematics Learning Basic and Process Using the Lesson Study” (by Anggun Badu Kusuma, Fitrianto Eko Subekti & Reni Untarti) and “Social Capital and Quality Improvement at the Junior High School VIP Al-Huda in Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia” (by Kartono); also there are two articles from outside of UMP, which is coming from UNSUR (Suryakancana University) in Cianjur, “Verb Go (Back to, on, and out) in English for TEFL in the Novel New Moon by Stephenie Meyer: The Syntactic and Semantic Analysis” (by Jauhar Helmie); and from UNRI (University of Riau) in Pakanbaru, “Students’ Perspective on the Domains of Teaching Quality” (by Suarman).

While the articles from outside of Indonesia came from the Lecturers of the Iranian nation-state, “Comparative Perspectives on Educational Assessment System at Primary Schools in Japan and Iran” (by Abbas Madandar Arani, Lida Kakia & Zahra Babaie); from Saudi Arabia, “Pre-Service Teachers Reasons and Beliefs about Teaching as a Profession” (by Mohamed Khaliefeh Alshraideh); from Ethiopia, “Does School Type Matter in Academic Achievement in Regional Examination? Comparative Study of Private and Government Schools in Dessie Administrative Town, North Central Ethiopia” (by Amogne Asfaw Eshetu); from China, “Students’ Experience in Student-Centered Learning at Higher Education Institutions in China: A Case Study” (by Samson Maekele Tsegay); and from Vietnam, “The Effects of Teacher Professional Development on Teaching Practice and Student Learning Outcome” (by Truong Bao Duy).

It is interesting to note here that the article was written jointly by the Lecturer of India who now works at the university in Ethiopia, Africa and the Lecturer of Indonesia, namely “Changing Dynamics of Good Governance in Africa” (by Hilal Ahmad Wani & Andi Suwirta). I think, in this era of globalization and in the context of the Southeast Asian region will also apply the AEC (ASEAN [Association of South East Asia Nations] Economic Community) in 2015, the cooperation in the field of research and publication was very encouraged. We do not live in a vacuum and aloof, but we live with other people and other nations. Therefore, cooperation and collaboration is the most important, in addition to the competition and comparison so that we, as a nation, do not miss when compared with other nations in the world.

The EDUCARE journal, however, has become a trade mark of the FKIP UMP (Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Muhammdiyah University of Purwokerto) in Central Java, Indonesia, due to since 2009, this journal is managed and organized by the Lecturers of UMP. And the Minda Masagi Press, as a publisher owned by ASPENSI (the Association of Indonesian Scholars of History Education) in Bandung, is as publisher of EDUCARE journal. Therefore, on this occasion, I would like to thanks and appreciation to the Lecturers of FKIP UMP and Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, who have had the attitudes of seriously, diligent, and hard work so that can make the EDUCARE journal published regularly and increase its quality from time to time.

Finally, do enjoy reading the EDUCARE journal and hopefully you will derive much benefit from it. Wassalamu’alaikum Wr. Wbr. (peace be also upon you).

ContentsEDUCARE: International Journal for Educational StudiesVolume 7(2) February 2015